Press Release: The report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – what does it mean for Christians?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have today issued a report which states the importance of limiting global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees C. A rise of as much as 2C is likely to have devastating consequences on life on our planet, for example almost all coral reefs would destroyed as the oceans warm up. Unfortunately limiting the warming to the level of 1.5C requires massive changes in our way of life – changes that we are barely starting to make.

Louise Cook of Green Christian said:

“It can appear that we have failed in one of the first of God’s commandments, to be stewards of the earth. However, as Christian we should never lose hope, and our hope now is for conversion. Not just converting our industries and transport systems away from fossil fuels, but each and every one of us needs to play our part to reduce our impact on the planet.”

Climate change will affect – and if the extreme weather of this past year is anything to go by, it is already affecting – our own lives, and the lives of our children and grandchildren. As Christians we are also aware of our impacts on God’s people around the world, particularly those in poorer countries who have often had the least impact on the environment but suffer most from chaotic weather.

The IPCC said: “With clear benefits to people and natural ecosystems, limiting global warming to 1.5C could go hand in hand with ensuring a more sustainable and equitable society”.

Louise Cook continued: “Many of us have already begun trying to cut down on single-use plastics, having seen their effect on the oceans. We can also think about all the areas of our lives where we depend on climate-changing fossil fuels.”

Green Christian calls on every one to take action in these three ways:

Consider all the ways your own life impacts on the environment – use Green Christian’s leaflet “9 ways of living gently on the earth” – and make a pledge to change your life, prayerfully accepting the natural limits God has given us. You could start by making one day each month a into a Fossil Fuel Free day (as far as possible) – thinking too about the impact of things that we buy, particularly the distances our goods have travelled before reaching our shops.

Join a campaign, write letters, spread the word. By joining Green Christian, or another environmental group, you can add your voice to the campaign, and find out more ways to make a difference. You can also write to retailers and governments – those who have power to make a bigger difference.

Prayer – for conversion of those in power who are ignoring or denying this issue. And for yourself, to grow in a spirituality that recognises that the desire to have more Stuff can get in the way of what God wants for us, and is profoundly damaging the first of God’s gifts to us – our common home.

We can approach this challenge with joy and love.

Contact: Ruth Jarman at info@greenchristian.org.uk and 07970 907784

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Notes

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change

Global Warming of 1.5 °C is an IPCC special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty. http://www.ipcc.ch/report/sr15/

Green Christian was formed in 1981 to share green insights with Christians, and Christian insights with the green movement. The charity produces resources, campaigns and events to help people relate environmental issues with their faith, and integrate environmental action into their mission www.greenchristian.org.uk

Green Christian’s ‘Nine Ways of living gently on the Earth’ leaflet can be found here: http://www.greenchristian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/leaflet/nine-ways.pdf